Search - The Grateful Dead - Ticket to New Year's on DVD

Classic Late 80's New Year's Performance.

Jeremiah Ezekiel Amos Isoquant | Chicago | 11/25/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD captures the Dead in their late 80's peak. The show is spirited, well played, and soulful throughout. The extras (fan questions, Jerry's backstage kitchen, and Mickey as Spock/Jerry as Santa) have to be seen to be believed--they're hilarious. The band is having fun throughout. You can tell by Jerry's face on the fantastic opener "Bertha" which DeadBase (a Grateful Dead stat book) ranked as the all-time fan's favorite version, and for good reason. Here's the thing about those controversial special effects: I watched this live on pay-per-view that night, and the effects were part of the broadcast. I videotaped the performance directly off tv and had it for many years. This DVD is essentially an edited version of that broadcast. So, the DVD company did not add the effects, they were already there. The extras also were longer in the original broadcast. Why they axed the rousing Promised Land from the DVD and VHS versions, who knows, but it's a notable omission. It's still worth a purchase."

Ticket back in time...

John Q. Public | New York | 08/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just watched the "Ticket to New Year's" DVD and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of the four Dead DVD's out as of now, I don't know if its the best, I seem to like View from the Vault I. But hey, this well worth having in your collection. The audio is crisp and sharp and while the special effects that were added to the video may annoy some, I thought they are pretty funny. Funny in the sense that I wonder if whoever was in charge of putting the effects on the video was saying "Wow man, this is gonna trip people out..." Whatever, no big deal. I recommend getting your hand's on every Dead DVD you can, in hopes that the powers that be see that there is a demand for them. There are alot more shows that could be put out (View from the vault III in October) and I hope they come around soon. It's a great escape to tune into Jerry and the Boys for a few hours, they were a unique band that communicated a vibe that doesn't seem to be prevelant anymore... MY ADVICE TO YOU: TURN OFF THE SIX O'CLOCK PARANOIA NEWS CHANNEL OR WHATEVER OTHER JUNK THAT MAY BE ON TV, POP A COUPLE OF HEINEKEN'S, SLIDE IN A DEAD DVD AND YOU'LL FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF."

This one should get six stars

Jo.smith@csfb.com | New York, New York | 02/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This concert DVD is one of the best things I have ever seen. The camera work is perfect and there is good visual work with the video lightshow. The setlist is basically perfect with maybe one exception. SetI Bertha//Cold Rain and Snow//Red Rooster//When Push come to shove//Masterpiece// Birdsong//Music never stopped Set II Hell in a Bucket//Uncle John's//Terrapin (2 tracks)// Drumzspace//Other 1//Wharf Rat//Throwing Stones// Not Fade Away//E:Knockin' w/Neville's. So as you can see the song selection is meaty and Jerry's face is HUGE!! This one is a must purchase and other bands such as Phish, Dave Matthews, and Widespread Panic should start makin' em like this. Enough said"

Super, except for effects.

mbandrofcheck | Newport News, VA United States | 01/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first Dead DVD & by the time the 1st song "Bertha" was over I realized I was in for a real treat. The audio was excellent & video was cystal clear, featuring numerous angles both close & wide. All was well as I settled in for the rest of the show. Shortly thereafter however, the "special effects" video overlays began. Not only did I not want to see this stuff, (didn't buy it for an "art" show), but the quality of the effects rated a negative 5 stars: cheaply done by a child or someone's pet?, same effects repeated time & time again in different songs, annoying to say the least. I still recommend this DVD & am glad I got it but will be closing my eyes during the effects in future viewings."